BMP-2: specifications, device, armament, manufacturer

2024 Author: Howard Calhoun | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:16

BMP-2 is an infantry fighting vehicle designed and produced in the USSR in 1977. Today, the BMP-2 is in service with the army of Russia and other countries of the world. She successfully participated in many military conflicts in different parts of the world.

Where and when was the BPM-2 designed and manufactured? What is she armed with? Is a machine developed in the 70s of the 20th century capable of effectively conducting combat operations in modern combat conditions? What changes and upgrades were proposed for the infantry fighting vehicle

How it was created and developed

BPM-2 appeared thanks to the improvement of the BMP-1. During the war in Afghanistan, it became clear that the BMP-1 did not meet the requirements of modern combat. Kurgan Machine-Building Plant, starting in 1974, began to work on improving the basic model. The BMP had to be re-equipped, made more secure, including from a nuclear strike. The Chelyabinsk Tractor Plant also worked on the modification, the model was called object 675.

As a result, the car received a largertower, was replaced and more modern weapons were added. The variant of JSC "Kurganmashzavod" is taken as a basis. The BMP-2 began to weigh from 13.8 tons to 14 tons, which is a whole ton more than the BMP-1.

At the parade in Moscow in 1982, the BMP-2 was presented to the public. It took place on the Red Square of the capital in November.

Armament BMP-2

The 30mm cannon is considered to be the basic armament. It is mounted in a tower that can rotate freely. In addition, there is a 7.62 mm PKT machine gun, which is combined with a cannon. The BMP-2 turret is more spacious than the BMP-1, the commander and gunner are located here. The 9P135M launcher (9P135M-1) is placed at the top of the turret.

The rifled small-caliber automatic gun 30 mm was designed by A. G. Shipunov, V. P. Gryazev. In addition, the vehicle is equipped with an RPG-7 grenade launcher, for which there are 5 PG-7V grenades. The paratroopers are also provided with weapons, consisting of 2 machine guns, 6 machine guns, 12 F-1 grenades. Ammunition included. There are two configuration options: 2 anti-aircraft systems 9K34, or one and RPG-7.

BMP-2 can hit helicopters, tanks, enemy manpower, destroy various structures.

Engine, undercarriage of BMP-2

The BMP-2's running gear is similar to the BMP-1's. The machine is capable of speeds of 65 km/h on asph alt, 40-45 km/h on dirt or other rugged surfaces.

BMP-2 overcomes water obstacles at a speed of no more than 7km/h When conducting combat operations, this must be taken into account, especially if it is supposed to overcome a water barrier with a strong current. BMP-2 can climb 35°.

The BMP-2 has a six-cylinder four-stroke diesel engine UTD-20S1.

Providing BMP-2 camouflage

The machine is equipped with camouflage. These are 6 902V Tucha grenade launchers, which are equipped with special 81-mm smoke shells. With the help of such grenades, camouflage is provided on an area of 200-300 square meters. The first machines of object 675 did not have grenade launchers to create a smoke screen.

In addition, the BMP-2 has a TDA apparatus that can be used repeatedly. With the help of such thermal smoke protection, it is possible to provide a masking radius of 100-150 m. The device is started using a toggle switch located at the workplace of the driver-mechanic. TDA works on the principle of atomization of diesel fuel. Therefore, the density of the BMP smoke screen will depend on how warm the engine is.

Booking BMP-2

The body of the machine is welded, for its manufacture special rolled sheets of armor steel are used. The hull armor has different thicknesses, which protects the vehicle, makes it strong and rigid. The body of the BMP of the first and second models do not differ much. The main differences in the tower. The BMP-2 has a larger turret that accommodates 2 people.

Today, the technical characteristics of the BMP-2 are considered insufficient, especially in terms of protection, sinceNATO countries are armed with guns that are capable of penetrating the armor of this vehicle. Her armor can't withstand a direct hit from a 12.7mm machine gun.

The frontal armor of the BMP-2 is 19 mm thick. Hits by 122-mm shells can lead to the death of the vehicle and crew. The Shmel flamethrower is capable of causing the BMP-2 to burn out. If there is an explosion on a mine, a landmine, then most of the crew will die.

BMP-2 crew

The infantry fighting vehicle is supposed to accommodate 10 people. Three crew members perform the main function: commander, driver, operator-gunner. The crew consists of seven paratrooper shooters who participate in the battle, firing from their weapons on the move, using BMP-2 loopholes.

In the left front of the car there is a place for a driver-mechanic. Behind is the workplace of the shooter.

It is worth noting the technical characteristics of the BMP-2, according to which, unlike the BMP-1, this vehicle has a more capacious turret. The fighting compartment with the commander and gunner is located in the turret and turret space.

The troop compartment is located in the stern of the BMP-2. There are places for 6 shooters here. There are two doors for loading and unloading the crew of shooters. In the upper part of the hull there are 2 hatches that perform the following functions:

• for shooting at air targets;
• for an overview of the neighborhood;
• for evacuation;
• to get out if necessary while moving through water.

Compartment for landing equipped with 2 batteriesbattery, heating system, R-126 radio station.

Protection of the BMP-2 crew from radiation

To protect people who are in the BMP-2, several methods are used. On the roof of the hull in the landing compartment, on the hatch covers, a lining is installed on the inside.

All compartments in which the crew is located are provided with a sealed protection system. This saves from radioactive dust, bacterial agents, toxic substances. If necessary, purified air will be supplied here; for this, a filter-ventilation unit is provided. The machine is equipped with chemical and radiation reconnaissance devices. The protection system can start automatically or manually.

The BMP-2 is equipped with fire extinguishing equipment, which is designed for two uses. These are 2 cylinders with the composition "Freon" 114V2. The car has 4 sensors. In addition, there is also a manual carbon dioxide fire extinguisher OU-2.

Modernization of the BMP-2 with the Bakhcha-2 module

During the serial production period, the BMP-2 was upgraded. Until now, the machine is in service with the Russian army, so improvements are required.

In the 90s of the 20th century, it became necessary to modernize the performance characteristics of the BMP-2. It was necessary to increase the firepower needed to carry out an attack in modern combat conditions. The design bureau of the city of Tula proposed to remove the standard turret from the BMP-2 and install the Bakhcha-U module in its place.

"Bakhma-U" has a barrel, missile weapons. All elements of weapons are connected into a single unit. It includes a 10mm mount2A70. In addition, a PKT machine gun has been added. "Bakhcha-U" has a 30-mm automatic cannon, which is equipped with 34 shells, 4 missiles of the 9K116 "Kastet" kit.

The upgraded turret is now fully rotatable. Improved sights for the commander and gunner. It has become easier to control the weapon system, an automated system is used.

As a result, the performance characteristics of the BMP-2 allow you to attack objects from a distance of 4 km. The firing zone has increased to 5 km. Thanks to high-explosive fragmentation shells, it became possible to hit more enemy manpower and other objects.

Modernization led to other changes. The new tower "Bakhcha-U" has a weight of up to 3, 98 tons. In this case, the machine becomes so heavy that it loses its buoyancy. In addition, the crew had to be reduced by 2 paratroopers.

An upgraded version of the BMP-2M took part in the exhibition of military equipment, but a large number of orders were not received. The Russian army is using the basic BMP-2 model more.

Automatic grenade launcher for BMP-2

In the 80s of the 20th century, it became necessary to increase the firepower of the BMP-2. It was necessary to increase the amount of enemy manpower hit. For these purposes, it is proposed to install the AG-17 "Flame" grenade launcher on the BMP-2. It is important that it was not necessary to remake the base model. Therefore, you can install a new grenade launcher on any BMP.

By the beginning of the 90s, modernized versions of the BMP-2 entered the army of our country. The Kurgan Machine-Building Plant produced several dozen modernized models. In the future, these machines were no longer produced.

BMP-2 with upgraded Berezhok

In the 90s, another option for upgrading the infantry fighting vehicle was proposed. The developers proposed B05Ya01 "Berezhok". Such a modernized version became known as the BMP-2M. After it was presented at an exhibition of military equipment, it began to be sold to different countries of the world.

The new BMP-2 turret resembled the base model. The vehicle is equipped with a 2A42 automatic cannon, a PKTM machine gun, and an AG grenade launcher. Guided missiles of the Kornet complex were installed. In addition, the BMP-2M combat complex has been increased.

As a result, the BMP-2 is capable of destroying a target at a distance of 8-10 km. Improved aiming devices for the sights of the commander, gunner-operator.

It is important that BO5Ya01 "Berezhok" weighs no more than 3,250 tons, that is, the tower did not significantly increase the weight of the original model. Thus, the BMP-2M is not inferior in buoyancy and driving performance to the BMP-2.

Other upgrade options

Besides, several modifications of the base model are known. The BMP-2K is considered a command vehicle equipped with additional modern means of communication. Available in small quantities.

For military operations in Afghanistan, the BMP-2D, better known as the "Afghan version", was more suitable. The upgraded version was proposed by the designers in 1981. The base model had additional armor, which increased the weight and the car stopped floating.

Participation of the BMP-2 in military conflicts

Combatthe infantry vehicle regularly took part in military conflicts in the Middle East, Africa, on the territory of the former USSR.

During the war in Afghanistan, which took place in 1979-1989, the technical characteristics of the BMP-2 were tested, which were tested in real combat conditions. So in 1982, the machines entered service with the Soviet troops in Afghanistan. The largest number of losses of this type of infantry fighting vehicle dates back to this time.

BMP-2 took part in many military conflicts on the territory of the former USSR. These are wars in Abkhazia, Tajikistan, South Ossetia. In the period from 2014-2016. armed conflicts took place in the eastern part of Ukraine. The technical characteristics of the BMP-2 made it possible to use the vehicle in different conditions and terrain. During the first and second Chechen wars, these machines were actively used. The loss of military equipment in these military clashes is very significant.

In Africa and the Middle East, the BMP-2 was used by the armies of different countries. The machine participated in the wars in the Persian Gulf, in Angola, in Syria, Yemen, in the Iraq War and other serious conflicts.

Thus, the BMP-2 was used in 16 of the largest military clashes that occurred in the late 20th and early 21st centuries.

BMP-2 in service with foreign countries

From the very beginning of the production of the BMP-2, many countries have shown interest in this type of weapon. Now the car is in service with 35 countries of the world. The base model was produced in Czechoslovakia, India, Finland.

BMP-2 is in almost all countries of the former USSR, suchas: Ukraine, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Georgia, Belarus, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Abkhazia, Ossetia.

Most of all infantry fighting vehicles of various modifications are in service with the armies of Syria (about 2450 units), India (980 units), Iran (400 units).

From 100 to 300 vehicles are in service with the armies of Algeria, Vietnam, Angola, Yemen, Czech Republic, Finland.

Less than 100 units are present in the armies of Sri Lanka, Uganda, Sudan, Kuwait, Jordan, Indonesia, Slovakia, Macedonia.

Specialists believe that the BMP-2 is the best machine among its analogues. Advantages are simplicity, reliability, unpretentiousness and high fighting qualities.

Monuments BMP-2

On the territory of Russia in different cities there are several monuments. OJSC "Kurganmashzavod" has them, in the cities of Belovo, Kurgan, Novosibirsk, Simferopol, in the Naro-Fominsk district of the Moscow region.

Today, about 3.5 thousand BMP-2s are operated in the Russian army. In addition, 1.5 thousand are in a mothballed state. About 16 BMP-2Ms with new engines and turrets should enter service with the army in the near future. In the article we see that despite its age, the BMP-2 does not stop losing popularity, and not only in Russia.